jacketwatch

Sounds like a smart plan to me Naomi. We used,to cruise with friends but that stopped bec. We ended up doing evrything together like we were attached at the hip and we really should have had our space. Also my wife and I need our time alone as we never have that outside of normal life with all,the work, etc. so it's important for us to be alone in a relaxed atmosphere like away on vacation. Yea, you don't have to do everything together. I think it's nice to go separate and catch up at dinner. Do consider the private tours. Just allow enough time and remember that tour companies have multiple vehicles and they all have phones. Should be no problem. In the ten cruises we've taken its never been close to pulling in the plank so just think about it. Anyway it seems you have a great plan and that's half the fun. Bon Voyage! Larry

For us trying the ship at least once is ok but when I looked the prices were high and frankly I can't see paying all that for those ports. You can spend the same or less and get much more.

Great idea. There is so much to see in Rome and a lot of walking but hey that'll do to work off the gelato. :D.

Hello. Let me offer my 2 cents as we have done a few med cruises. First of all our very 1st cruise was the western med and we actually managed to do all the ports on our own and it was surprisingly easy. As you have 8 people have you thought to do all your tours with perhaps the exception being Toulon as I like your idea of starting off slow. The advantages of private tours are several inc. price, privacy and the ability to tailor it to your needs. You can google for private tours or simply hook up at the pier as there will be operators there and as this is Sept. or low season I would think you can get a good price. Its just that I think it would be nice for the 8 of you to be by yourselves and not with say 25 others and not restricted to that itinerary. Also can you fly in a day early? I am sure you can and this will give you some time to relax, get over jet lag and this may be a more relaxed way to begin but of course it's up to you. Our 1st two cruises began with us getting in the same day of embarkation but since then we always go in early. No worries and even if RCI has to get U there in the event of a delay that's a tough way to start. I do like your idea of taking it easy for some ports as going all out for all of them is too much, especially Rome. Be rested for this one as it will be a long day. This is why I was so happy we hired a cab for Rome as we decided to head back early as when we went it was August, pretty warm and we got tired so we could cut it short whereas on a ships tour we would have been there for 3-4 hrs. more. I am sure you will enjoy this whatever you decide to do. Cheers, Larry

I think most folks think of the Oasis class ships when the term mega ship is mentioned. Yet it seems, at least for those who voted in this poll that the S class ships are clear favorites. RCI finished 5th in fact. I thought that the Equinox was the nicest ship I've ever been on though I have not been on an Oasis class ship so I can't compare them. If you have been on both S and Oasis class ships how do you compare them? Also I do wonder if the fact that Oasis class ships have limited routes, confined to the eastern and western Caribbean limits their exposure. I would like to try one but these routes really don't excite me. What are your thoughts?

I don't recall exactly but it did not seem out of line and the trun around time was one day.

No problem.

We were not in Venice. All the sites were open and the weather was near perfect. Actually in Santorini It was pretty warm, around 90F by how it felt. I brought a light jacket but did not need it. Our embarkation was Civitavecchia and the ports included Istanbul, Kusadasi, Naples, Mykonos, Santorini and Athens. Our 1st Med cruise was in the summer, late July, early August and man it was pretty warm. If you can take the heat great and we were OK with it then but that was 2002. Now no way. We also did the holy land in 2011 and that was generally in the same region and included IST, Kusadasi and Athens ans this too was in Oct. and early Nov. and the weather was near perfect except for a cool day in Athens so I had to get a hoodie but it really was fine.

I find that I tend to overpack so over time Impack less and less and use the ships laundry if need be. Just need a good supply of undies and socks.

Between the two the Equinox, which we were on last Oct. would get my vote by a landslide. I know we can't go but I can vouch for that ship. Awesome!

I have a TA who is a cruise specialist and works for a company that does cruises mainly. She is knowledgable and does help a lot, especially with group bookings for a cheaper rate, a discount and even for hotel recs. so for me it's an advantage from a service POV. Actually I could get a bigger discount booking with Costco. Yes they do have a travel club buts he provides great service so for us it's worth it. Look into a good TA. It's worth your time.

I usually call the CC companies to alert them of where I will be and when. These days I tend to pack less for a cruise and rely on the ships laundry if need be. With the packing limits set by the airlines it makes sense I think. Also try to get CC with no foreign transaction fees for use abroad.

Welcome back sis! Glad to see you posting and good to hear you have a cruise upcoming. I'll look f/w to your review.

I am happy so happy to hear you had a nice time and its too bad you became I'll. What a bummer. Overall you seemed to have a great time so that great. Alaska is amazing indeed.